A brand-new standalone home in your backyard — the most flexible, highest-value ADU. Up to 1,200 sq ft, designed and built end to end.
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A detached ADU is a brand-new, standalone home in your backyard — its own walls, roof, entrance, kitchen and bath, fully separate from the main house. It's the option most Sacramento homeowners picture when they think "backyard home" or "granny flat," and it's the most flexible: you're not limited by an existing garage or the shape of your house, so you can design the layout, size and look that fits your goals and lot. It's also generally the highest-value option, both for rental income and resale.
Under current California law, a detached ADU can be up to 1,200 square feet, and the state guarantees your right to build at least 800 square feet regardless of local zoning, with just 4-foot side and rear setbacks. That's enough for anything from an efficient studio to a comfortable two-bedroom. On the typical Sacramento lot there's more room than owners expect once you account for those modest setbacks — we confirm the exact buildable envelope for your property at the consultation.
Turnkey — design, permits and construction — detached ADUs in Sacramento generally run about $250 to $360 per square foot, so a 600 sq ft unit lands around $180,000 and a 1,000 sq ft unit around $300,000. The range widens with finishes and site conditions: a sloped lot, poor soil, large tree work, or a long utility run to the new unit push toward the higher end. See our Sacramento ADU cost guide for a full breakdown.
The City of Sacramento offers pre-approved ADU plans, and for a detached unit that's often the smartest route: the plan check can drop from around 30 days to a few, and it trims design cost. We'll show you whether a pre-approved plan fits your yard or whether a custom design is worth it.
Tell us about your property — we'll map out your options and a ballpark budget.
Up to 1,200 sq ft under California law, with at least 800 sq ft guaranteed regardless of local zoning and 4-foot side/rear setbacks. The right size depends on your lot and goals — we confirm the buildable envelope for your property.
Turnkey, generally $250 to $360 per square foot in Sacramento — roughly $180,000 for 600 sq ft and $300,000 for 1,000 sq ft. Site conditions and finishes move the number; a free consultation gives you a real ballpark.
More often than owners expect. With only 4-foot setbacks required, most standard Sacramento lots can accommodate a detached ADU. We do a site check to confirm placement and size before you commit to anything.
After design and permitting (permits are capped at a 60-day review, faster with a pre-approved plan), construction of a detached ADU typically takes a few months depending on size and complexity. We give you a realistic timeline up front.
Free, no-obligation ADU consultation for your Sacramento property.
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